City Council Considers Ordinance To Prosecute Graffiti Taggers
Councilman: Grafitti Should Be Treated As Crime

POSTED: 6:29 am PDT March 28, 2007
UPDATED: 6:49 am PDT March 28, 2007

SAN DIEGO -- An ordinance that would require the misdemeanor prosecution of all graffiti taggers in San Diego and impose automatic mandatory penalties will be introduced at a City Council committee Wednesday.

The proposal, brought forward by Councilman Brian Maienschein, will be considered by the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee.

"This proposal will guarantee that every tagger will receive mandatory penalties and will focus on introducing juveniles and young adults to consequences from their actions," Maienschein said Tuesday.


The councilman said graffiti is part of the gang culture and should be treated as a crime, not just an "obnoxious act."

Maienschein's proposed ordinance would impose mandatory penalties, including community service hours and fines.

According to Maienschein's office, the city spends more than $1 million each year on graffiti abatement and enforcement.